Vanderbilt Swimming struggled in its comeback to the water on Jan. 3, being outperformed by Kentucky at Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, Tennessee, marking its initial meet following the Gamecock Invitational. Seniors Mercedes Traba and Kailia Utley made multiple podium appearances, yet could not sway the competition in Vanderbilt’s direction.
The 200-yard medley relay squad consisting of Aubrey Hull, Emily Constable, Karsyn Cook, and Reagan Mathieson secured second place with a clocking of 1:44.50 to start the competition. Traba then posted a time of 10:26.62 in the 1,000 freestyle — significantly off her personal record, but still sufficient for a second-place finish.
The Commodores failed to reach the podium in three successive events until Utley and Kate Heintz achieved second and third places, respectively, in the 200 butterfly. Kentucky dominated the 50 free, but Mathieson managed to secure a third-place position in the 100 free with a time of 52.58. Again, Kentucky swept the 200 backstroke, but that would be the final sweep for the Wildcats of the night.
Constable earned third in the 200 breast, and Traba followed closely with a third-place result in the 500 free. Ultimately, Vanderbilt was mercy-ruled at the event, which curtailed Kentucky’s scoring opportunities. This allowed the Commodores to achieve their first victory of the meet in the 200-yard individual medley, sweeping the event, thanks to the mercy rule.
Vanderbilt similarly triumphed in the 400 free relay.
The Commodores will return to the pool when they host Arkansas for another dual meet at Centennial Sportsplex on Jan. 17.